Getting to know Mrs. Nani, a tough woman who has survived the Cianjur Earthquake

Sometimes, a life partner becomes half of one’s heart when married. When one of them is gone, the one left behind has to navigate life with a broken heart.

This is the story of Mrs. Nani Sumarni (40). During the earthquake, Ibu Nani, who was pregnant at the time, had to gather her strength to save herself and her toddler. Perhaps things would have been different if Mrs. Nani’s husband was still alive; she would have felt safer amidst the earthquake that shook everyone’s emotions.

According to Mrs. Nani’s account to Human Initiative volunteers, her husband had passed away due to a respiratory illness not long before the earthquake. It was the same year when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck on November 21, 2022.

Giving Birth During the Disaster Emergency Response Period

After the earthquake, Mrs. Nani, now a single parent with a toddler, found herself living in a refugee camp. Still, within the disaster emergency response period, she gave birth to a baby boy just ten days after the earthquake. Under these circumstances, she had to raise her two children alone in a makeshift tent.

Being a single parent did not discourage her. Mrs. Nani registered and participated in the selection process for the program called “CVA in Shelter: Construction of Temporary Shelters for Cianjur Earthquake Victims.” This program is a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity Indonesia (HFHI) and Human Initiative (HI) aimed at providing survivors with safer, more comfortable, and dignified living spaces until they receive the permanent housing assistance planned by the government.

Mrs. Nani was chosen as a participant because she met all the criteria. Despite having to take care of her children and earn a living, she actively engaged in all aspects of the program. She attended training sessions, participated in cash-for-work activities, and utilized material vouchers to purchase construction materials.

No More Cold Nights

Mrs. Nani expresses her endless gratitude to HFHI and HI for selecting her as one of the beneficiaries of the temporary shelter program. She acknowledges that the cash-for-work program has greatly helped in meeting her and her children’s needs.

“I am grateful. After living in a tent for more than three months, I now have a more comfortable place to live. My children no longer feel cold at night,” she said.

Mrs. Nani is immensely thankful for these acts of kindness. As a token of her deep gratitude, she stated that she will not dismantle the temporary housing provided by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia (HFHI) and Human Initiative (HI) even when she receives permanent housing assistance from the government.

“When the government’s housing assistance is built, I will not dismantle the temporary housing provided by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia (HFHI) and Human Initiative (HI). I will use it as a kitchen and bedroom,” gratefully affirmed Nani Sumarni.

The efforts of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia (HFHI) and Human Initiative (HI) in providing temporary shelters for survivors are a testament to their commitment to support post-disaster recovery. Just like Ibu Nani, this assistance allows survivors to be actively involved in rebuilding their homes, which brings a sense of dignity to their lives.